<p>I can definitely respect your position. But whether or not sports has a tainted reputation or not, it’s still a game. The military is NOT a game. Now, the Lt is in a little bit different position because he has already graduated from the academy and is of to the real Air Force. He does however have an obligation to the Air Force and the American Citizens who paid for him to attend the academy. I think the simplest answer is still to have the team that wants him to buy out his debt to the military. Granted, most won’t do that because unless that player is #1 in the country, they can always find more players. Therefore the burden falls onto the LT.</p>
<p>You are correct that maybe he didn’t reach his pro ball playing potential until he got through the academy. But it is accepted that he said that playing pro ball was his life time childhood dream. So, it’s fair to say that he wasn’t some phenom that the pro’s found accidentally on the street. This is something he was trying for. As far as having made a decision to go to the academy instead of a different school; oh well that’s the chances you take. He could have just as easily gotten hurt in Basic training or during the 4 years at the academy and never able to play ball again. If he had chosen to go to a different college without the comittment, he would have been taking the same exact chances as in the academy. Actually, he probably would have had a better chance of staying healthy.</p>
<p>We all make choices in our lives. Many, like this one, you need to live with and fulfill your obligation. Just because something “Better” came along isn’t good enough. You can’t accept such responsibilities UNTIL something better comes along and then say you changed your mind. “Oh honey; I know we’ve been married for 2 years, but I met this girl that is the one I’ve been looking my whole life for. Sorry, but I’m leaving”.</p>
<p>Now, the sad part is, there are actually people who think so little of comittments that they would say that there isn’t anything wrong with divorcing the wife because someone BETTER came along. If you fall into that category, then there is no debating here. We are at totally different perspectives of morals, valules, etc… We live our lives full of “Would of, Could of, Should of’s”. The minute he said yes to the academy appointment, he said yes to a comittment. It would be different if we were talking about a sabatical or a 2 year break and then coming back. But a sports career could last another 10 or so years.</p>
<p>Anyway, I feel for the guy. And, if there are policies in place that he can use to convert his active duty over to the guard or reserves, then more power to him. If the Major League is willing to buy out his contract and reimburse the military for all the training and such; then again, more power to him. If they won’t buy him out and there’s no provision for him to go to the reserves, then he needs to suck it up and live up to his responsibilties. Baseball is still a “Game”. Especially compared to the military. later… Mike…</p>